David Fisher keeps finding something to sing about

When the American Idol bus left town after hearing 600 area singers, David Fisher, a Cimarron native, was the only local talent who made it through to the next round of auditions.

Don Steele

When the American Idol bus left town after hearing 600 area singers, David Fisher, a Cimarron native, was the only local talent who made it through to the next round of auditions.Fisher grew up on his parents' ranch near Cimarron and has been singing his whole life.He remembers singing in the pick-up on the way to Dodge with his brothers."We'd be listening to Big Dog Country on the radio and trying to harmonize," Fisher told the Globe in an interview last week.His first competition may have been when he tried out for a solo at the Kansas Music Educators Association state convention in 5th grade.He didn't make it.And he didn't make it in the 6th grade either.Finally, when he was in 7th grade, he achieved a solo spot.He continued to take a solo to KMEA through his senior year.Fisher credits Mrs. Lynn Unruh, his choral teacher from 5th through 12th grade, with encouraging his talent."She's a blessing to me," Fisher said.During high school, Fisher appeared in two musicals: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," and "All I Ever Needed To Know I Learned In Kindergarten."Fisher has taken classes at DC3 for the past three years, working most recently with Jodi Frisbee-Reese, whom he also credits with contributing to his performance skills."She helped me a lot," he said. "She put some fire in me and she pushed me."Along the way, Fisher also appeared with the Depot Theater Company in "When Mars Meets Venus," and at Boot Hill in "Tales of Fannie Keenan, Better Known as Dora Hand."He has also participated in three Veterans Day cabarets at the Depot.Fisher's great-uncle, Ernie, was in the service and Fisher likes to sing in his honor whenever he can.He sang at the Fort Dodge Christmas wreath ceremony last December."That was an awesome experience," he said. "It was so cold — even though I've never been in the service I felt like I got a little taste of the hardship they go through."

EncouragementFisher heard about the auditions almost as soon as they were announced — mostly from family members, who lobbied hard for him to sign up."They even made a Facebook page," Fisher said.Although Fisher had inside information early and plenty of time to prepare, he had a lot of second thoughts about auditioning."Everyone was pushing me so hard," he said.Still, he had songs picked out. He practiced. He prayed about it.And on Aug. 24, canceling a trip to the mountains he'd planned with his cousins, Fisher showed up exactly at 8 a.m. as instructed and got in line.It was about 10:30 a.m. when he made his way to the audition table. The judges were taking singers in groups of four.He sand "Go Rest High on That Mountain," a song Vince Gill wrote in tribute to his brother. When the judges asked if he had another song prepares, Fisher and everyone else knew it was a good sign.He sang "Your Man," by Josh Turner.When he finished, the three other singers in his group were called forward, thanked and dismissed.Fisher was called forward and told the good news."They said they liked my voice and that I should work on my performance," Fisher said.Then he was sent to sign forms."They gave me plenty of time to read everything — it's kind of intimidating when you get to phrases like 'throughout the whole universe,'" he said.Part of the paperwork asked Fisher to list things about him that people might find interesting."I think they're looking for things the audience can sympathize with — but I don't have a tragedy in my life and I don't want one."Fisher looks at the experience, and whatever might come next, as just another opportunity.Meanwhile Fisher will continue to work on the ranch, doing the jobs that make the operation work.What if he has to move to Los Angeles?"Moving would be a big change. But singing is a big thing about me. I want to do what my Lord wants me to do and I feel like singing is what I'm supposed to do.Fisher wasn't given any details about the next step in the process. He will have to make his way to another audition — time, date and place to be announced.And if "American Idol" doesn't pan out, you can bet Fisher's family will be pushing him toward the next opportunity.